As the end of the school year approaches fast there are many big events coming up and I look forward to meeting many parents at them. Next Friday we have the Paterson Art Exhibition which is proceeded by a reception with the School Board in the Library at 5:30 p.m.The amazing MS production of Into the Woods is only 2 weeks away and on June 5th the ES Swimming Gala is always a sporting highlight of the year.As with all International School's the end of year is also a time to say goodbye to those students and staff who, like me and my family this year, are moving on the exciting new adventures.As you will see below we have a few staff moving on to exciting new opportunities. Equally important we have some excellent new staff joining us in August who we are thrilled to welcome into the ISS community.I look forward to a truly memorable final 3 weeks of term.Derek

The children will come to school at the regular time and by normal transportation means. They will be bused to the swimming complex on a rotational basis. Full information about the event can be found here: http://issphysed.weebly.com/swim-gala-2017

At the end of the Gala, parents are to pick up their children at the Sports Lifestyle Centre at 12:30pm.If you are unable to pick up your child there will be a bus back to school and students will be supervised in the MPR until 2:20pm when they can return home by their normal route.If you wish your child to return to school you must inform us prior to Friday 2nd June by filling in the form found here: http://bit.ly/swimbus .NB There is no lunch provided for students returning to school.Students will need:

Swimsuits

Towels

Sunscreen

Hats

A Snack.

Drinking water will be provided.

Parents are encouraged to bring a hat, sunscreen and umbrella as shade may be limited. If you would like to volunteer to help out at Swim Gala please go to http://bit.ly/swimvolunteer

Free Dress FridayFree Dress day is next Friday, 26th of May and the theme will be "Food Day", where students can dress as their favourite food. This is in support of our work with Working Towards Zero Hunger and the Singapore Food Bank. Students should bring a nonperishable food item or a monetary donation.Thank you - from SALT (Student Action Leadership Team)

New and Leaving TeachersAs we get closer to the end of the school year, I wanted to share with you that we have recruited some great staff to join us in August.These are:Sophie Crawshaw: Sophie is British and will be joining us as a Grade 2 teacher. Many of you already know Sophie as she was a part of our ESL team at ISS in 2015.Claire Park: Claire is Korean/American andwill be joining us in Grade 2. Claire has been working in Los Angeles, California.Yvonne Haywood: Yvonne is British and will be joining us as a classroom teacher. Yvonne has been working in BruneiDaniel Inman: Daniel is American and will be joining our K-8 PE department. Daniel has been working in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.Harry Orgee: Harry is British and will be joining our K-8 PE department from United World College here in Singapore.Song Peng: Song is Chinese and will join us as a K-8 Mandarin teacher. She is currently working at Hillside World Academy here in Singapore.Miriam Mahapatra: Miriam will be joining us in our ESL team. Many of you already know Miriam as she is a part of our Learning Support team this year and a regular substitute at ISS.Patty Winnipenny is American and will be joining us from Shanghai American School. She will be the new K-12 Head of Learning Support and Wellness.

Unfortunately some of our staff will also be moving on. I am sure you will join with me in wishing all of them all the best and a heartfelt thank you for what they have achieved at ISS:Yvonne Thomson: Yvonnewill be returning to Canada to work at Southpointe Academy.Vicky Gammon: Vickywill be moving to Hong Kong and settling the family into their new life.Meghan Luttrell: Meghanwill be moving to England to be with her husband and work at International Community School in London.Tammy Musiowsky: Tammywill be staying in Singapore, but will remain part of the ISS community as a substitute teacher. She will working on some other projects in the field of education as well.Caz Regan: Caz will be moving to Italy and working at the International School of TurinRaj Hinkel: Raj will be staying in Singapore and has started her new role as a new mummy with her little bundle of joy.Alison Camire: Alison will be returning to Canada to care for her new baby Isla. She plans to return to the classroom in September 2018.Nathan Horne: Nathanwill be moving to Canada to work at Meadowridge School.YanPing Zhao: YanPingwill be moving to Hong Kong to work at Discovery College.Estelle Elsaadi: Estellewill be returning to Australia

Talented TeachersI will be away from school next week as I am on a CIS Accreditation Visit in China.

Middle School NewsGreetings and welcome to the end of exam week. Having wandered the corridors, dropped into a number of classrooms, and chatted with numerous students, I can say everyone has got through the week very positively and focused. Great work to the teachers who challenge the students, to the parents and guardians who keep the students on track at home, but mostly to the students who apply and organise themselves so they manage exam week so well.The end of semester is fast approaching and there are many events to look toward. Next week as part of Individuals and Society, Mr Ballinger will take Grade 7 to a number of places of worship here in Singapore, as the students explore the world religions. The following week is the Paterson Campus Art Fair. A real highlight of the school calendar.

Last Friday night I had the privilege of watching the boys basketball team go down in a ‘blaze of glory’ in their semi final. Coach Jonas had the team primed and ready and each player rose to the occasion. Alas it was not meant to be that night and the boys took the loss with good nature and maturity they have displayed all season. Great stuff.

New and Leaving TeachersIn the next academic year we welcome some new teachers to the Middle School:Daniel Inman: Daniel is American and will be joining our K-8 PE department. Daniel has been working in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.Harry Orgee: Harry is British and will be joining our K-8 PE department from United World College here in Singapore. Song Peng: Song is Chinese and will join us as a K-8 Mandarin teacher. She is currently working at Hillside World Academy here in Singapore.Patty Winnipenny is American and will be joining us from Shanghai American School. She will be the new K-12 Head of Learning Support and Wellness.

The downside of new teachers means some of our current teachers are moving on:

Dana Kalaw: is moving to Switzerland and the International School of BaselKatie Allan: is relocating to Australia. Katie will continue teaching PE in a yet to be determined school in Sydney.Ash Sequoia: is moving to Pinki in Latvia and the International School of LatviaGood luck to all departing staff. You will all be sorely missed and always be a part of the ISS family.Have a good weekend everyone.